UC Santa Cruz’s ecological aquaculture research team has joined forces with Global Algae Innovations, backed by a $2 million grant from the Department of Energy. The initiative aims to explore the viability of Spirulina microalgae, cultivated using carbon dioxide extracted from power plant emissions, as a promising feed ingredient for farm-raised rainbow trout.
This project is part of a larger national effort, with seven initiatives collectively receiving $16.5 million in federal funding. The focus is on advancing technologies that leverage algae as a carbon sink, effectively reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Algae’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide and convert it into valuable biomass opens avenues for sustainable products such as animal feed, biofuels, and more.
Global Algae Innovations will utilize captured carbon dioxide from power plant flue gas to cultivate Spirulina sp., optimizing energy and cost efficiency in the process. Assistant Professor Pallab Sarker, from the Department of Environmental Studies, will then analyse the resulting product, comparing its biochemical characteristics with conventionally grown Spirulina. This includes examining nutrients, anti-nutrients, minerals, and trace metals.
Sarker’s research extends to incorporating the flue gas-grown Spirulina into an experimental fish feed formula for rainbow trout. The study aims to evaluate digestion efficiency, taste preferences, and nutrient absorption versus waste excretion in comparison to conventionally grown algae. The overarching objective is to refine the production of flue gas-grown Spirulina, unlocking its full potential as a sustainable and high-performing fish feed ingredient.
Dave Hazlebeck, Founder and CEO of Global Algae Innovations, expressed optimism about the project’s potential impact. He envisions flue gas as a cost-effective source of concentrated carbon dioxide, essential for scaling up commercial Spirulina production while alternative carbon capture methods are developed.
If successful, the experiments could position Spirulina as a sustainable protein source for rainbow trout, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fish feed ingredients sourced from wild-caught fish or terrestrial crops.
Assistant Professor Sarker emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and industry partnerships in driving critical improvements within the rapidly expanding aquaculture sector. He believes that, when managed correctly, aquaculture can contribute more environmental benefits than harm, shaping the future of commercial fish farming.
Source: UCSC NEWS
